Form clamp



Patented IJan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,307,274 FORM CLAMP William H. Jenkins, El Monte, Calif.

Application August 26, 1940, Serial No. 354,201

' 4 Claims. (Cl. 85-49) This invention relates to a novel means for use in securing the members of a concrete form in operative positions.

In the usual practice concrete form sheathing members are usually secured to the studs by nailing.V This requires considerable time and labor in erecting and dismantling and further results in great waste of lumber. The present invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages and at the same time eliminate hammer marks and nail heads on the inside of the form.

The general object of the invention is therefore, to provide a novel clamp for securing the sheathing to the studs in concrete forms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form clamp which does not require nail- 111g'.

AnotherM object of the invention is to provide a novel form clamp adapted to engage studs which vary somewhat in dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form clamp wherein the stress in the clamp is relieved as the concrete is poured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form clamp which may be used repeatedly; does not come into contact with the concrete; requires no special tools to install, and which may be installed in cramped locations.

Other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing my novel form clamp in use;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clamp;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the clamp installed and in open or preliminary position;

Fig. 5 is a top plan View showing the clamp installed and in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the clamp installed; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a form clamp which is indicated generally at I. As shown in Figs. l to 7 the device I0 includes a fastening member I I engageable with the sheathing I2 of a concrete form and a member I3 hinged to the portion II as by a rivet I4 and resiliently engageable with studs I5.

The clamp I is preferably stamped from suitable material such as sheet steel and may be plated or otherwise treated to prevent corrosion. Certain portions may be hardened or otherwise heat treated.

As shown, the fastening member II has a tapered front end portion I6 and at the rear has a pair of sharpened points I1 bent in opposite directions to engage an upper and a lower sheathing board as'shown.

The stud engaging member I3 includes side portions bent to form a rib I8 to receive the fastening member II, therebetween. The member I3 further includes ange portions I9 engageable with the face or edge of a stud and a resilient end portion 20 engageable with the rear surface of a stud. The resilient portion 20 is rounded as at 2l and may include an aperture 22 to receive a nail (not shown) to prevent accidental disengagement of the clamp. The rib I8 continues onto the end portion 20 to reinforce the same.

In the use of my form clamp, the studs are erected in the usual manner and the bottom sheathing board secured thereto as by nailing, A row of form clamps is then secured to the bottom sheathing board, one clamp adjacent every second stud. The members I3 are then pivoted into engagement with the stud. Another sheathing board is then laid above the iirst, being secured to the studs by the clamps. Another row of clamps are then positioned in the upper edge of the second board and in place. Other boards are added in a similar manner. Adjacent clamps on the same stud are positioned on opposite sides of the stud to prevent lateral movement thereof.

It will be seen that the sheathing is firmly engaged by the bent portions Il which are imbedded therein and that the sheathing is urged tightly against the studs by the resilient portions 20. It will be further seen that the clamp permits variation in the dimensions of the lumber used. The inside of the form is free from nail heads and hammer marks and a smooth concrete face results.

In dismantling, the sheathing boards are merely pulled upwardly away from the clamps and the clamps disengaged from the studs. The lumber and clamps may be used repeatedly.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel clamp for concrete forms which is highly eicient for its intended purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a form clamp, an elongated body member including a flat body having an outwardly projecting hollow flanged rib thereon, said body having an end portion extending at an angle to the rib, a securing member disposed within the rib and pivotally connected to the body portion, said securing member having securing prongs thereon.

2. In a form clamp, an elongated body member including two side portions, said side portions being spaced apart to form a rib, a flange on each side portion and extending outwardly therefrom, said body having an end portion extending at an angle to the rib, a securing member disposed between the ribs and pivotally connected to the body portion, said securing member having securing prongs thereon extending in opposite direction therefrom, said securing member at the end remote from said prongs having an inclined edge and said rib being inclined to correspond to the inclination of the inclined end onr the securing member.

3. In a form clamp, an elongated body member including a groove forming rib having flanges thereon, said body member having an end portion extending at right angles to the flanges, said rib extending into the end lportion to reinforce the same, a securing member disposed within said rib and pivotally connected to the body portion,

said securing member having securing prongs thereon extending in opposite direction therefrom, said securing member at the end remote from said prongs having an inclined edge and said rib being inclined to correspond to the inclination of the inclined end on the securing member.

4. In a form clamp, an elongated body member including a groove forming central rib having flanges extending therefrom, the flanges being disposed at right angles to the rib; said body having a hook like studengaging end portion thereon extending at right angles to the anges, said rib extending into the end portion to reinforce, the same, a securing member disposed in said rib and pivotally connected to the end of the body portionl remote from said end portion, said securing member being coplanar with said rib and having integral securing prongs thereon extending in opposite direction therefrom and disposed at right angles to the body of the securing member, said securing member at the end remote from said prongs having an inclined edge and said rib being inclined to correspond to the inclination of the inclined end on the securing member,

WILLIAM H. JENKINS. 

